Somalia marks one year since Islamist militants were driven out of Mogadishu

Somalis celebrate during a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of terror group Al-Shabab's withdrawal from Mogadishu at Konis Stadium in the north of the capital on Aug. 6, 2012. Somali president Sheikh Shrif Sheikh Ahmed attended the ceremony and declared the day a national day to be called 'Peace day' and marked each year.

Dai Kurokawa / EPA reports — On Aug. 6 Somalia marked one year since African Union and Somali government forces drove out the hardline Islamist militants al-Shabab from the capital Mogadishu. Life has been returning to normal for many Mogadishu residents since al-Shabab left the city. However, the change is fragile and the Islamist fighters, who control much of the country's southern area, remain a great threat to the stability of the capital. The population of Somali refugees reached more than one million last month according to The United Nations Refugee Agency. Read More

Dock workers carry bags of imported cement at a seaport in Mogadishu, Somalia on Aug. 6.

Dai Kurokawa / EPA

Twelve-year-old Yusuf Abdrahaman lies on a stretcher as he waits to be transported to another clinic in Mogadishu, Somalia on Aug. 6. Abdrahaman was injured when a wall collapsed on him while playing outside.

Reuters

A Burundian soldier serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia patrols in an armed personnel carrier in Mogadishu on Aug. 6.

Stuart Price / EPA

The Mogadishu fishing harbor stands in Somalia on Aug. 6.

Dai Kurokawa / EPA

Somali women wait to receive treatment at the outpatient clinic run by the African Union in Mogadishu on Aug. 6.

Dai Kurokawa / EPA

African Union soldiers from Uganda play a board game as they rest at their camp in Mogadishu, Somalia on Aug. 6.